[Note: This letter is in the Cornelius Van Houten Correspondence, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress but it has never been previously transcribed.]

Battery B
October 3, 1864

Dear Father,

As I promised to write again soon I shall endeavor to do so this morning. It is quite stormy so we did not have to drill and I will have plenty of time unless the enemy tries to break our lines again. I cannot say I feel the best for wear this morning for I was working hard yesterday most of the day and the rest we spent in firing it to the Rebel works and last night about one o’clock we had to rouse up to stop the Johnnies from coming in to us. About every other night there is a break out in our front so we cannot lie down and know we will have a good night’s sleep but we have to sleep like rabbits—with one eye open—for our fort is only a few yards from the picket line and we have to jump at the first shot. All the army is either on the left or right and we are about in the center. Our line is consequently very thin. There has been some very hard fighting for the last five days. First General Grant caught Mr. Lee on his left flank and almost entered Richmond and before Lee knew where he was, Grant had him by the right. I think Lee has just as much as he wants to do now for General Grant does not publish his movements a month or two ahead. Not even his chief of staff knows the movements till he gets his orders.

I begin to have more faith than ever in both General Grant and President Lincoln too. I do believe that Uncle Abe has done all in his power to preserve the Union in its purity. I am very sorry I ever denounced him as I did because I now truly believe he is worthy to be our President and I further believe that the Chicago Convention was a regular Secesh Convention and they thought more about helping the Rebels than they did about the preservation of our Union.

Father, I have come over to your views of the case. I now truly believe that no honorable peace can be had without fighting for it for if the McClellan platform was carried out, we surely never would have our Union as it was, or we never could have a thorough peace as long as he was in office. Father, I am now a real true Lincolnite. I will stand up for him and the Administration as long as I have two legs and I am willing to fight now till we restore our loved Union or are prostrated. I understand now just how things are working. There is a certain class of men who would do almost anything if they could only see a southern Confederacy but it shall not be. Grant is doing good work now but I suppose you know the news before I do.

Albert is at City Point about 8 miles from her and has been there since the 26th. I expect him down soon. Write soon and tell me how Molly is getting. I think my boy ought to be along soon. Much love to all, — C. V. H.